The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-06-23
MANAGEMENT or FAIRS
why Farmers should Take Charge
County and District Exhibltions.

why Farmers Should Take Charge Of |
County and District Exhibltions.
Every year many complaints are
made about the management of our
county and district agricultural fairs.
The statement is made that they have
passed out of the hands of farmers and
are controlled by the owners of fast
horses, sporting men and people who
do business in the nearest town. Many |
complaints are made concerning the
immoral tendencies of fairs when pool
selling is allowed. Permits are given
for Objectionable side-shows, privileges
for selling worthless articles are sold.
and games of chance are permitted.
Many exhibitors complain of want OF
suitable accommodations for them.
selves and their stock, of the lack Of
capacity, knowledge, judgment. and
honesty on the part of the judges, OF
delay in having the fairgrounds put in
suitable condition, and in reduction in
the premiums offered. Many complain
because the fairs are generally noisy
and d~isorderly and because the ex-
ercises of each day do not conform
with the published programme. Many
state hat the best space in tho exhibit
ton building is generally occupied by
goods of merchants, to the exclusion OF
farm, garden, orchard and dairy pro-
ducts. They declare that fairs should
be principally for educating people in
matters pertaining to agriculture and
NOT for furnishing amusements or for
advertising and selling goods.
There are good grounds for most of
these complaints. but it seems aston
ishing that the people who make them
do not interest themselves in institute
ing the reforms they appear to desire
20 much. The most enterprising and
intelligent farmers, gardeners and
s~tock-raisers in each county should
control the fair, and should they I'M
dertake to do SO it is not likely that
they would meet with any opposition.
To accomplish the best results it is adj
visable for them to organize a county
agricultural society, which should not
limit its labors to holding an annual
fair. The society should hold regular
meetings for hearing lectures, discuss
ing various matters pertaining to farm
ing, gardening and stock-raising, and
for considering business matters and
legislation that affect the interests in
which they are engaged. Working
committees should be appointed to test
new varieties of plants, to consider the
merits of rival breeds of animals, to
~~~1o:o..~ ,vskI 1Nnh;nn and Snan1a-
ments, and to make reports on them.
An association of men organized for
the purpose of promoting agriculture
and stock-raising would be likely to
conduct a county fair that would be of
great value to themselves and the COM
munity, and one that would be free
from all Objectionable features.
Such an association could be in
corporated as a joint stock society for
the purpose of buying and improving
grounds and holding annual agricul-
tural fairs. The number of shares
should be large and the price compar-
atively small, so as tj allow every en-
terprising farmer in the county to own
at least one. By adopting this plan the
majority of the farmers in a county
would become directly interested in the
welfare of the society and the success
of the fair. They would become bet
ter acquainted, and would be better
prepared to work for the advancement
of agriculture and kindred industries.
They could decide how a fair should be
conducted hat would accomplish the
best results. They could arrange fol
using their grounds and buildings fol
other purposes than accommodating
exhibitors and patrons of the annual
fair. At a comparatively small ex.
pense they could erect Q building thai
could be used for meetings of the so
ciety and for the display of some articles
exhibited at the fairs. When attending
these meetings they could stable theil
horses in the stalls erected for animal!
brought for exhibitions. A building
answering the purposes of the club
house in most racing parks is very de
sirable in an Enclosure used for holding
fairs. 1t need not be a costly affair
but it should contain a kitchen, dining
room and a large apartment for hold
ing meetings.
It is very desirable to have a family
live in a building located on the fair.
grounds and have the general care o
them during the entire year. Thu
grounds should be kept in good con
dition all the time. The fences ant
buildings should not be allowed to &c
out of repair, as they frequently d.
when the premises are deserted excep
during the weeks when the fair is il
progress. The grass on the ground
should be cut and saved at the prope
time, the weeds killed, and the track
:, kept in good condition. Before tn
. fair is held every thing about tn
. grounds should be put in order. Afte
it is. over the manure should be re
moved from the pens where the ami
mails were kept and the building
. whitewashed. The time of one ma
could be employed to excellent advar
: tage during the entire year in keepin
: the buildings and grounds in good cor
: dition. If a building is used tor tn
accommodation of the members of tn
association, a woman will be needed t
take charge of it. lit is provide
with cooking utensils. dishes, table
= and chairs, she could prepare meal
: for the members of the associatio
whenever they have meetings.. tn
> house could be made the home of tn
:. members of the society when they me
" for business. 1t would insure privac
r and a considerable expense.
With a family to take charge of ia
= buildings and grounds and a house fe
:. the officers of the association, thel
J. would be no excuse for not openin
\ the exhibition on time or for incon
plete arrangements. If the fair opene
= on Wednesday everything could be
+ readiness for receiving live stock. far
- os.oo11onon, ortic1nc q